I'tikaaf
One of the other ways in which Muslim men and women (who aren't menstruating) may seek Laylat al-Qadr is by performing I'tikaaf (literally 'staying' in Arabic, meaning "retreat") for the purpose of worship. Although I'tikaaf can be performed at any time of the year, observing it during Ramadaan is better and was a practice of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
'Aa'ishah said that the Prophet (PBUH) used to observe i'tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadaan until Allah took his soul, then his wives observed i'tikaaf after he was gone.
(Hadith - Bukhari & Muslim)
I'tikaaf is an optional act of worship and is only valid if it is performed in the mosque.
"And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in I'tikaaf (i.e. confining oneself in a mosque for prayers and invocations leaving the worldly activities) in the mosques"
(Qur'an 2:187)
The purpose of I'tikaaf is to cut oneself off from the world, to focus on worship and to turn to Allah to renew oneself spiritually. The example of how to observe I'tikaaf has been shown to the Muslims through Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who used to retreat to the mosque and stay away from people. He would not visit the sick or attend funerals (as was his habit at other times) and he only used to leave the mosque to answer the call of nature. He would still remain clean and would sometimes put his head out the window of the mosque and his wife 'Aa'ishah would wash and comb his hair. His wives would sometimes still visit him during I'tikaaf and they would sit with him and talk to him for awhile.
The person who is observing I'tikaaf invalidates the I'tikaaf if they leave the mosque temporarily for any unessential need. The I'tikaaf is not invalidated if the person leaves the mosque to perform wudu (ablution), go to the toilet, get food (if no one is able to bring that for them), or other essential needs that cannot be performed in the mosque. The person observing I'tikaaf should not accept invitations, attend to his/her family's needs, go to funerals, visit the sick and so on.
The person who wants to perform I'tikaaf should enter the mosque before sunset on the 20th day of Ramadaan, so that they do not miss the night of the 21st of Ramadaan, which could be Laylat al-Qadr. The person who has observed I'tikaaf may leave the mosque when the sun sets on the last day of Ramadaan, whether Ramadaan is 29 or 30 days. If the person wants to stay until after 'Eid prayer the next morning to pray with the people, then there is nothing wrong with that either, and some scholars regard that as desirable.
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